Improvement in manufacture of leather pasteboard and paper



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPHE NICOLAS MATHIEU, 0F PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO M. J. A. GUIET, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER PASTEBOARD AND PAPER.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLPHE NICOLAS MATHIEU, of Paris, France, have invented a new and useful Manufacture of Artificial Leather Paper and Pasteboard, which I do by the following description fully set forth and ascertain as follows, to wit:

The object of this invention is to make use ofleather shavings, until now useless, and consequently of no value. These shavings are obtained in the paring of leathers. This incumbering substance is but with difficulty got rid of by the curriers. By making use of this substance in the manner hereinafter described I can produce excellent packing-paper, pasteboard, compact and supple and of great resistance-in fine, a substance resembling leather, and which can be used as a substitute. These articles depending one upon the other in their fabrication, they of course should all be manufactured at the same time. A single choice only is required to separate from the leather shavings the parts which are destined to each fabrication. However, the leather shavings can be employed all together for the manufacture of paper and pasteboard; but I find that there is greater advantage in retaining the part which can be used for the manufacture of artificial leather.

Leather-papen-The series of operations re quired to obtain it consists of picking, pulping, and forming, &c.

The picking-The picking for the manufaclure of paper should be made with great care. Its object is to separate from the shavings the tan, the small stones, &c. There are two means of effectingit. The first consists in passing the shavings through a bolter surrounded by a wire-cloth with large meshes. The tan, the stones, and pieces ofiron, &c., pass through this cloth or sieve and fall under the bolter. The shavings, now cleaned, come out of the machine. Then I pick out with the hand the pieces of wood, stones, &c., which may have remained, and separate at the same time the pieces of leather to be used in making theimitation or artificial leather. When the above method is insufficient to separate completely the tan from the shavings I have recourse to a Washing, which is performed in an openworked basket, which is half filled with the shavings, placed in water, and the contents stirred with the hands.

Pulping.When theshavin gs are sufficientl y cleaned they are put in an engine, which isan ordinary paper-engine. I add to the shavings old ropes, cut up, and all textile and vegetable substances, such as matting, rags, &c. I workthe engine until I obtain a fine and homogeneous paste, after which I proceed with the manufacture of the sheets of paper.

The forming, (fad-This pasteisimmediately converted into paper either by a mold or by the machine. The shavings orscraps of greasy,

black, or dyed leather cannot be used in this fabrication.

Leather-pasteboard.-The whole of this operation l S composed, first, of a picking of the shavings; second, of cutting in an engine; third, the draining of the paste; fourth, the placing in a mold; fifth, the pressing; sixth, the drying, and, seventh, the flattening.

The picking-I need not be so particular in the picking for the carton or pasteboard as for the paper. The shavings are never washed. 1 only throw them in a sieve and stir them with my hands, and the tanpasses through, and also with my hands remove the pieces of wood, stones, &c., as for the paper. The parts for the manufacture of artificial leather are separated at the same time, and

they should be the largest pieces, the thinnest, and with a homogeneous surface.

Pulping.--The pieces that are picked out are put in a basket and brought to the engine. To give strength to the paste and to make a good pasteboard, I add to the mass a small quantity of damaged cotton. I then work the out ting-engine until it forms a homogeneous paste. Straining.-After using the engine the paste is brought and deposited in a vessel for sediment, at the angles of which are placed a wire cloth and plugs, so as to remove the liquid.

Forming.The paste, now being of a suita ble consistence, is taken in buckets and brought to the pasteboard-makers basin, who takes it up with a mold made of a wooden frame with a wire-cloth drawn across, and drains the paste by stirring it slowly to spread it, after which the leaves are put in press.

Pressing.The leaves are put in a press which is Worked by a screw. They are laid one over theother. I also introduce between each sheet a felt or woolentissue.

Drying.-They being now pressed, I dry them in the open air, if the weather will permit, or in a warm room.

Calendaring-The sheets, now dry, are passed between two cast-iron cylinders, which operation renders thesheetscompact and makes them also smooth.

Pm-ing.-To terminate, I pare the sheets with shears.

I do not claim the employment of leather in making pasteboard, 860., when the same is made to pass through a process of maceration with lime or like substances, or when leather scraps are mixed with resinous or glutinous compounds to cause it to adhere,for allsuch modes are too expensive for practical use; but

ADOLPHE NICOLAS MATHIEU. [1 s.]

Witnesses:

LnoN KRAFFT,

ALEX. TOURNAUL'I. 

